Police STAR Fund Projects
Previous Police STAR Fund projects:
InterACT
Research to compare and contrast the accuracy of crime types against harm groups to reflect a ‘high harm’ approach to crime reduction in predictive mapping
Multimedia youth justice
Creating engaging, credible and effective behavioural-change resources for youth justice teams.
Forensic use and application of MALDI
Testing the operational value of new mass spectrometry methods of resolving and visualising fingermarks.
Wearables for wellbeing
Trialling the value of data analytics for tracking the wellbeing of staff.
LoRaWan tracking
Will establish a novel, secure method of asset tracking (e.g., agricultural equipment) for frontline officers.
Missing murdered
Identifying triggers that might indicate harm when taking missing person reports.
Automated redaction of case files
Developing a tool that investigators can use to accelerate redaction of sensitive and personal information.
Trafficking mediated online
Developing a risk assessment tool to enable better triage of ASW profiles.
Knife recognition AI
Developing a mobile-based app for instant knife recognition and comparison.
Serious misconduct prediction
Taking learning from Australia to test a data-driven model for serious misconduct prediction.
Digital road safety technology
Assessing the range and efficacy of new technologies that focus on behavioural change in at risk drivers.
Decision-making in evidence led prosecutions in domestic abuse cases
Examining decision making in relation to ELPs for domestic abuse and their effect on victims’ experience.
Building public trust (victim journey)
Developing a digital contact platform that allows victims to receive on-demand updates.
Machine learning - domestic homicide prediction tool
Enhancing domestic violence risk assessment methods with knowledge of factors predictive of homicide.
Compassionate policing - RASSO & VAWG (Project Odyssey)
Building a focused digital acquisition capability to support front line officers.
DaQIOA
Building a data quality dashboard and methods to correct and enhance data for serious violence reduction.
Traumatic brain injury
Testing how synthesising multiple data points can support investigation and harm reduction
Mark retrieval from knives
Create a semi-automated method for examining a knifes surface that can be operated by non-specialist
Cyber tabletop exercise
Creating remote-working focused training tool to improve knowledge of cyber-attack risk
Wi-Fi and cellular enabled VSS (CCTV) data extraction and analysis
Research the data storage and transmission structure of Wi-Fi and Cellular VSS/CCTV cameras to support forensic labs in their extraction and analysis of these devices.
Telematics: using machine learning to drive behavioural change
Create a platform which will automatically ingest telematics data and use machine learning to classify driver behaviour and drive an education loop to reduce accidents and associated costs.
A study of rib fractures in early childhood to aid forensic investigations of suspected child abuse
Study of paediatric rib cages using micro-CT and histology to assess the occurrence of fractures in infants that have been resuscitated but not likely to have been subjected to abuse. Findings from these control cases will be compared to suspected abuse cases to characterise injury patterns resulting from different mechanisms.
Meeting the policing demand of a digital world using an evidence-based approach
Establish an evidence-base for digital demand in policing and test a Digital Investigation Tool (DIT) using a randomised control trial.
VAWG reduction in Essex through the expansion of the Minerva Tool
Evaluate Minerva to improve the way we identify and tackle VAWG incidents in public spaces.
Problem orientated policing local assessment resource (POPLAR)
Research, design and deliver a practical Problem-Oriented Policing (POP) Evaluation Tool for GMP Neighbourhood Policing (NP) teams, adopting a human-centred design approach to innovation.
Identifying and managing risk in non-convicted sex offence perpetrators
Develop, pilot, and evaluate a structured tool to a) guide police officers’ identification and risk assessment decision making of non-convicted serious sexual offence perpetrators, and b) better inform and encourage the use of different tactical disruption options available to tackle and reduce this type of offending.
“When all is tread and done” Identifying footwear uppers caught on camera as a new form of evidence
Develop a searchable database of footwear upper images under visible and infra-red light.
Project guardian
Targeted research in police pursuits to develop and evaluate alterative practices and adopt innovative new tactical options (utilising technology) to bring pursuits to a prompt and safe conclusion.
The prioritisation of potentially harmful subjects and the estimation of future risk
Evaluate outcomes of a predictive algorithm used to identify stalking and harassment (S&H) offenders who may pose high harm.
Kent and Essex ILAS trial
A 2-force trial of an intelligence automation application, focused on child exploitation and VAWG. The trial will be supported by academic validation.
NLP to detect threatening and abusive language toward victims.
Develop Natural Language Processing (NLP) models to reduce privacy intrusion when reviewing material extracted from a victim’s phone as part of an investigation.
CHISVal
Trial a new evidence-based template developed for objectively measuring the value of CHIS in context specific terms.
Targeting repeat sexual offending suspects using behavioural analysis
Explore, pilot, and review the use of BA and strategic, disruption-based policing options to effectively target and prevent repeat sexual offending. Several tools will be implemented in DCP to assess their utility in targeting repeat offending. A national, structured framework for the use of BA in policing will be developed
ANPR data quality
A discovery and proof of concept to develop quantitative measures of ANPR data quality and an associated dashboard. This would cover issues with ANPR cameras and an assessment of ANPR data feeds, as well as data quality impacts for operations and analytics. This builds on previous qualitative assessments.
Examining the use of evidence led prosecutions (ELPs) in domestic abuse cases
Explore the use of ELPs across four different police forces. To date, with the exception of the originally funded project, no research has examined how ELPs are working in practice, or the impact on victims.
101 voice assistant “Amy”
Build and pilot “Amy”, a 101 non-emergency call taking voice assistant to answer 101 call requests and deal with specific use-cases, reducing the service requests on Call Operators.
Community and commissioning data hub
Develop a multi-agency database and app that gives unified and locally-specific information on support services, programmes and diversionary activities to facilitate effective signposting and referrals, and enable better-informed future commissioning decisions.
Proof of concept to manage and share data relating to neurodivergent officers
Develop a proof of concept to collate and share information (only to authorised personnel) on workforce neurodiversity, to better support recruitment, promotion and operational delivery.